By editor - 20 June, 2016
Social Justice Ireland has called for a major investment programme focused on social housing and broadband delivery as a key priority for Budget 2017.
In a statement on Monday, Dr Seán Healy, director of the think tank and justice advocacy organisation, warned that “Budget 2017 should introduce substantially increased public investment to begin delivering sufficient social housing units to eliminate the waiting list and to frontload the rollout of the fibre infrastructure for broadband to every household and business in the State.”
The organisation is launching its ‘Framework for Budget 2017’ today.
“Investment is needed to produce a well-functioning economy, to develop inclusive labour markets, to ensure adequate income support and to ensure access to high quality services for all,” Dr Healy said.
He added that for these reasons, Budget 2017 should include details of a comprehensive investment plan to tackle Ireland’s infrastructure deficits in social housing and broadband.
The Director of Social Justice Ireland said, “Investment in social housing and broadband will yield significant returns in terms of both employment and productivity, and will also address two of the largest infrastructural deficits in Ireland today.”
Michelle Murphy, a Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland also warned that “If Ireland is to have strong long-term macroeconomic stability and a vibrant economy then a substantial increase in the level of public investment is required.”
“It is not possible to achieve every policy outcome in a single Budget; however it is possible to lay the foundations of a vibrant, just and sustainable economy and society by introducing a coherent package of measures.”
According to Dr Seán Healy, “Decent services and infrastructure, just taxation, good governance and sustainability are essential if the economy is to be stable and vibrant, and grow in a way that is suited to the development of a society characterised by justice, equality and well-being. In order to deliver this, public investment must be a priority in Budget 2017.”
Michelle Murphy also urged the country’s elected representatives to begin the process of developing a coherent and integrated policy framework that will deliver a vibrant economy, decent services and infrastructure, good governance and sustainability.
The full text of Social Justice Ireland’s proposed ‘Framework for Budget 2017’ may be accessed here.
